Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court Anwar Usman speaking at a public lecture held by Kanjuruhan University, Malang, on Friday (28/12). Photo by Humas MK/M. Nur.

The Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court (MK) Anwar Usman spoke at a public lecture held by Kanjuruhan University, Malang, on Friday (28/12) afternoon. In the event attended by Kanjuruhan University students, Justice Anwar delivered a speech on "Constitution and Sustainable Development Goals: Harmonization in Education."

He said that in terms of development, a country would not be able to be developed without any guidelines. He said that the 1945 Constitution was one of the guidelines in the national development. He added that the Constitution had provided an overview and that the success of the development could not be separated from the Constitution.

Justice Anwar explained that although the 1945 Constitution had been amended, there were still many people who did not understand the Constitution. Therefore, he continued, the Constitutional Court was tasked with protecting the Constitution and safeguarding the constitutional rights of citizens. In addition, the Constitution can also ward off ideologies that conflict with Pancasila, such as communism and leninism.

In addition, he also explained the authority and obligations of the Constitutional Court as stipulated in Article 24C of the 1945 Constitution. In the article, the Constitutional Court is given the authority to examine laws against the 1945 Constitution and its decision is final and binding.

"So, the work of 560 House members and the president can be declared unconstitutional and can be revoked by the Constitutional Court. It may apply not only to one article, but also to one law as a whole. For example, the Constitutional Court decided on the Electricity Law and the 2007 State Budget Law, both of which were declared unconstitutional," he explained.

Justice Anwar also explained that the Court also had the authority to decide on disputes between state institutions whose authority was regulated in the 1945 Constitution. In addition, the Constitutional Court also has the authority to dissolve political parties whose ideologies are contrary to Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution. In addition, the Constitutional Court is also obligated to decide on the opinion that that the President and/or Vice President are suspected of impeachment. (M. Nur/LA/Yuniar Widiastuti)